German Red Cross to Open 40 Million Euro Disaster Hub Near Berlin This Week

Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) is due to open a new German Red Cross (DRK) population-protection logistics centre in Luckenwalde, Brandenburg, roughly 50 kilometres south of Berlin, this Thursday. The 3.4-hectare site — about the size of five football pitches — consolidates relief supplies that had previously been spread across several locations after the former central warehouse at BER airport in Schönefeld became too small.

The facility can sustain up to 5,000 people during major crises such as floods, large evacuations, or international emergencies. Stockpiles include tents and emergency shelter for around 1,000 families, field beds, blankets, sleeping bags, hygiene and baby packages, mobile kitchens, large generators, all-terrain ambulances, and oxygen-supply equipment. Transporting the complete inventory requires around 250 truck trips.

The federally funded "Mobile Betreuungsmodul 5,000" provides temporary shelter, food, medical care, power, water, and accessible sanitary containers with wheelchair ramps. The DRK is financing the broader facility — costing approximately 40 million euros — from its own funds. The centre will employ around 20 full-time staff and roughly 40 volunteers, and includes maintenance workshops and training facilities.

According to DRK logistics team leader Clemens Pott, over 90 percent of the material had already been moved to Luckenwalde by early this week. The air-freight section is due to open in November, with the full relocation completed by the year-end. Parts of the equipment have already been deployed following the Ahr Valley flooding and at refugee housing in Berlin-Tegel.